The Right Livelihood Award, widely known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” has been honouring courageous changemakers since 1980

Imprisoned Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, US civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson, indigenous rights and environmental activist Lottie Cunningham Wren of Nicaragua, and Belarusian pro-democracy activist Ales Bialiatski and the non-governmental organisation Human Rights Centre “Viasna” have been selected as the 2020 Right Livelihood Laureates (bit.ly/2HIwTRj), the Swedish Right Livelihood Foundation said on Thursday.

The Right Livelihood Award (RightLivelihoodAward.org), widely known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” has been honouring courageous changemakers since 1980. By recognizing the actions of brave visionaries and building impactful connections around the world, the Award aims to boost urgent and long-term social change.

The four 2020 Laureates are receiving the Awards for the following:

Imprisoned human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh (bit.ly/3neXeHd) “for her fearless activism, at great personal risk, to promote political freedoms and human rights in Iran.”

This year’s Laureates are united in their fight for equality, democracy, justice and freedom

Civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson (bit.ly/3jwX77D) “for his inspiring endeavour to reform the US criminal justice system and advance racial reconciliation in the face of historic trauma.”

Indigenous rights and environmental activist Lottie Cunningham Wren (bit.ly/2EOdGMZ) of Nicaragua “for her ceaseless dedication to the protection of indigenous lands and communities from exploitation and plunder.”

Human rights activist Ales Bialiatski (bit.ly/3na2AmG) and the non-governmental organisation Human Rights Centre “Viasna” “for their resolute struggle for the realisation of democracy and human rights in Belarus.”

Sotoudeh is the first Iranian Right Livelihood Laureate, while Bialiatski and Viasna are also the first Belarusian recipients of the Award.

“This year’s Laureates are united in their fight for equality, democracy, justice and freedom,” said Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director of the Right Livelihood Foundation. “Defying unjust legal systems and dictatorial political regimes, they successfully strengthen human rights, empower civil societies and denounce institutional abuses. This year’s selection of recipients highlights the increasing threats to democracy globally. It is high time that all of us in favour of democracy around the world stand up and support each other.”

The four Laureates, selected by an international Jury, will each receive a prize money of 1 million SEK. As in previous years, the Laureates were nominated in an open process where anyone could submit individuals and organisations for consideration. The Laureates will be honoured during a virtual Award Presentation on December 3, 2020.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Right Livelihood.